Eddie Jones admits surprise to Boks' ball-in-hand approach

In London

England coach Eddie Jones was quick to point out that the Boks' way of playing in the games against Italy and France was an unusual departure from what they're accustomed to.

England will meet South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday with a slightly different idea of what to expect from them.

South Africa may have lost 30-26 to France under controversial circumstances in Marseille on 12 November, but ever so slightly, showed a different attacking hand at the Stade Velodrome.

Italy was far less rigorous opposition, but they were the blank canvass that Jacques Nienaber's side used to paint a running rugby picture.

READ | Eddie Jones draws line in sand over Rassie ruckus: 'We need to respect the referees'

Jones admitted they tried something different against the All Blacks in their epic draw last week, but said he found the Boks' tactical shift a surprisingly interesting one.

"Unusual mate. They played off 10 against France and maybe they were trying to play away from the ruck. This period’s really interesting now because sides are experimenting.

"You’re seeing slight changes in what they are doing. We saw the Kiwis use their attacking kicks more than they’ve done.

England

15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell (captain), 11 Jonny May, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Alex Coles, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola

Substitutes: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 David Ribbans, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Henry Slade, 23 Jack Nowell

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Evan Roos,